The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

For a good majority of this book I actually thought I would give it a 4/5 star rating. I love Miller’s writing style and the story was familiar, but I found myself liking it rather than loving it. It was the last 60 or so pages that brought the book up to 5/5.

Writing the story through Patroclus’ eyes was genius. I thought Achilles was okay as a youth but didn’t care very much for him during his time in the Trojan war. Greatness came too easily for Achilles. I realize he was prophesied to be the greatest warrior of all the Greeks but I just wish we had seen him earn the title rather than carry it up to the Trojan war without merit. It was only through Patroclus’ eyes that I felt any real affection for him.

Majority of this book felt like a comfortable retelling but it was the last 60 or so pages that pulled me in. Avoiding spoilers, the grief in these final pages was palpable and I cried through to the last page. Any story that evokes that much emotion is an automatic 5/5 and I can’t wait to pick up Circe in the future.